Convertible pipe earring

ABSTRACT

A dual-use product is configured for use as a piece of body jewelry and as a smoking pipe. In a first configuration, the product may be inserted through a pierced hole in a user&#39;s body, such as in the user&#39;s earlobe, and worn as an earring. In a second configuration, the product may be packed with a smokeable material and converted to a smoking pipe.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design Pat. Application Serial No. 29/369,775, entitled “CONVERTIBLE PIPE EARRING,” filed Sep. 13, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a jewelry product.

2. Description of the Related Art

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not teachings or suggestions of the prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Body piercing involves puncturing or cutting a part of the human body to create a hole in which jewelry may be worn. Body piercing has been practiced since ancient times, particularly in tribal cultures. Ear piercing, for example, involves puncturing or cutting a person's earlobe to create a hole in which an earring may be worn. Other forms of body piercing include nose and lip piercings.

Earrings are available in various shapes and sizes. The posts of standard earrings may have diameters of about 0.8 mm (20 G), 1 mm (18 G), or 1.2 mm (16 G). However, if the hole in the person's earlobe has been deliberately stretched, the person may be able to wear earrings with posts having diameters as large as 4 mm (6 G), 10 mm (00 G), 20 mm, 32 mm, or more, for example.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a dual-use product that is configured for use as a piece of body jewelry and as a smoking pipe. In a first configuration, the product may be inserted through a pierced hole in a user's body, such as in the user's earlobe, and worn as an earring. In a second configuration, the product may be packed with a smokeable material and converted to a smoking pipe.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a dual-use product is provided that has a first configuration for use as body jewelry and a second configuration for use as a smoking pipe. A user of the product has a body with a pierced hole of a known hole diameter. The product includes a stem having a first end and a second end, the second end of the stem having a known outer diameter, the stem defining an internal passageway that extends from the first end to the second end, the internal passageway widening to define a bowl within the stem. The outer diameter of the second end of the stem corresponds to the hole diameter of the pierced hole in the body of the user such that, with the product in the first configuration, the second end of the stem is receivable in the pierced hole in the body of the user. The bowl is configured to hold a smokeable material such that, with the product in the second configuration, the user is able to draw smoke from the smokeable material in the bowl through the internal passageway of the stem.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a set is provided that includes a first pipe and a second pipe. The first pipe has a first outer diameter that corresponds to a first body jewelry size, the first pipe defining a first internal passageway and a first bowl in communication with the first internal passageway, the first bowl being configured to hold a smokeable material. The second pipe has a second outer diameter that corresponds to a second body jewelry size, the second outer diameter of the second pipe differing from the first outer diameter of the first pipe, the second pipe defining a second internal passageway and a second bowl in communication with the second internal passageway, the second bowl being configured to hold a smokeable material.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for providing a product to a user for use as body jewelry and as a smoking pipe. The user has a body with a pierced hole of a known hole diameter. The method includes the step of providing a stem to the user, the stem having an outer diameter that corresponds to the hole diameter of the pierced hole in the body of the user, the stem defining an internal passageway and a bowl in communication with the internal passageway, the bowl being configured to hold a smokeable material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a convertible pipe earring, the convertible pipe earring having a first configuration for use as an earring and a second configuration for use as a smoking pipe;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side perspective view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 1, which is a mirror image of a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 1 shown in the first configuration for use as an earring, the convertible pipe earring extending through a person's earlobe;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 1 shown in the second configuration for use as a smoking pipe;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a convertible pipe earring shown with first and second end caps, the convertible pipe earring having a first configuration for use as an earring and a second configuration for use as a smoking pipe;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a right side perspective view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a left side elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 11, which is a mirror image of a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 11;

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 11;

FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 11;

FIG. 19 is an exploded left side elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 11 with the first and second end caps detached;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the second end cap of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of the second end cap of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the first end cap of FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is an elevational view of the first end cap of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 11 shown without the first and second end caps;

FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a bottom perspective view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a left side elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 24, which is a mirror image of a right side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 24;

FIG. 29 is a bottom plan view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 is a front elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 24; and

FIG. 31 is a rear elevational view of the convertible pipe earring of FIG. 24.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings.

An exemplary convertible pipe earring 10 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-10. Convertible pipe earring 10 includes a generally tubular body or stem 12 that extends from first end 14 to second end 16. In the illustrated embodiment, stem 12 of convertible pipe earring 10 is generally S-shaped, although the shape of convertible pipe earring 10 may vary. For example, it is within the scope of the present invention that stem 12 of convertible pipe earring 10 may be generally U-shaped. Additionally, the illustrated stem 12 of convertible pipe earring 10 is circular in cross-section, although the cross-sectional shape of convertible pipe earring 10 may vary. For example, it is within the scope of the present invention that second end 16 of stem 12 may be circular in cross-section, while first end 14 of stem 12 may be rectangular in cross-section or another shape.

Convertible pipe earring 10 may be constructed of a biocompatible and heat-resistant material. In one exemplary embodiment, convertible pipe earring 10 is constructed of glass, such as borosilicate glass or another suitable glass. In another exemplary embodiment, convertible pipe earring 10 is constructed of metal, such as jewelry-grade 316L stainless steel, implant-grade titanium, or another suitable metal.

With reference to FIG. 7, second end 16 of stem 12 has a known outer diameter D1. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, outer diameter D1 of second end 16 of stem 12 is selected from Table 1 below, which represents standard body jewelry sizes. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a set of convertible pipe earrings 10 is provided with each convertible pipe earring 10 in the set having a different outer diameter D1 selected from Table 1 below. For example, the set may include convertible pipe earrings 10 having the following outer diameters D1: 10 mm (00 G), 11 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, 19 mm, 22 mm, 25 mm.

TABLE 1 Body Jewelry Sizing Chart Gauge Outer Diameter (G) (mm) 12 G   2 mm 10 G  2.5 mm  8 G 3.2 mm  6 G  4 mm 4 G  5 mm 2 G  6 mm 0 G  8 mm 00 G  10 mm N/A 11 mm N/A 12 mm N/A 14 mm N/A 16 mm N/A 19 mm N/A 22 mm N/A 25 mm N/A 26 mm N/A 29 mm N/A 32 mm N/A 35 mm N/A 38 mm N/A 41 mm N/A 44 mm N/A 47 mm N/A 50 mm

In certain embodiments, stem 12 of convertible pipe earring 10 narrows from second end 16 to first end 14. For example, as shown by comparing FIGS. 7 and 8, the outer diameter of first end 14 of stem 12 is less than outer diameter D1 of second end 16 of stem 12. Therefore, unlike outer diameter D1 of second end 16 of stem 12, the outer diameter of first end 14 of stem 12 may differ from the dimensions set forth in Table 1 above. It is also within the scope of the present invention that stem 12 of convertible pipe earring 10 may widen from second end 16 to first end 14.

At second end 16 of stem 12, convertible pipe earring 10 includes rim 20 that surrounds and projects outwardly from stem 12. With reference to FIG. 7, rim 20 has an outer diameter D2 that exceeds outer diameter D1 of second end 16 of stem 12. In certain embodiments, outer diameter D2 of rim 20 may exceed outer diameter D1 of second end 16 of stem 12 by approximately 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, or more, for example.

With reference to FIG. 4, stem 12 of convertible pipe earring 10 is hollow, with internal passageway 22 extending entirely through stem 12 of convertible pipe earring 10 from first end 14 to second end 16. Internal passageway 22 is sufficiently sized to allow air to pass through stem 12 of convertible pipe earring 10 with reasonable suction. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, internal passageway 22 is a tubular-shaped channel with a diameter of approximately 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm, or 5 mm, for example, which has been shown to allow air to pass through stem 12 of convertible pipe earring 10 with reasonable suction. To accommodate internal passageway 22 therein, outer diameter D1 of stem 12 may need to be at least 6 mm, 8 mm, or 10 mm, for example. It is within the scope of the present invention that the size and/or shape of internal passageway 22 may vary across the length of stem 12.

Regardless of the size of stem 12, the size of internal passageway 22 may remain substantially the same. Therefore, if a set of convertible pipe earrings 10 is provided, larger convertible pipe earrings 10 in the set (e.g., outer diameters D1 of 16 mm or more) may have thicker outer walls than smaller convertible pipe earrings 10 in the set (e.g., outer diameters D1 of 10 mm (00 G) or less). In this embodiment, both the larger convertible pipe earrings 10 in the set and the smaller convertible pipe earrings 10 in the set may have internal passageways 22 of approximately 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 4.5 mm, or 5 mm in diameter, for example.

At second end 16 of stem 12, internal passageway 22 widens to define bowl 24. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, in particular, internal passageway 22 first narrows and then widens at second end 16 of stem 12 to define bowl 24. Bowl 24 of convertible pipe earring 10 is sized and shaped to hold a smokeable material (not shown), such as tobacco. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the size of bowl 24 is maximized to also maximize the quantity of smokeable material that may be stored in and smoked using convertible pipe earrings 10.

Unlike internal passageway 22, which may remain substantially the same size regardless of the size of stem 12, the size of bowl 24 may increase as the size of stem 12 increases. Therefore, if a set of convertible pipe earrings 10 is provided, larger convertible pipe earrings 10 in the set (e.g., outer diameters D1 of 16 mm or more) may have larger bowls 24 than smaller convertible pipe earrings 10 in the set (e.g., outer diameters D1 of 10 mm (00 G) or less).

Convertible pipe earring 10 is a dual-use product. With convertible pipe earring 10 in a first configuration, user 100 may use convertible pipe earring 10 as an earring, as shown in FIG. 9. With convertible pipe earring 10 in a second configuration, user 100 may use convertible pipe earring 10 as a smoking pipe, as shown in FIG. 10.

To arrive at the first configuration of FIG. 9, user 100 inserts first end 14 of stem 12 through a pierced hole 102 in his or her earlobe 104. Then, user 100 pulls stem 12 through hole 102 until second end 16 of stem 12 reaches hole 102. In this position, rim 20 rests against earlobe 104 to prevent convertible pipe earring 10 from slipping through hole 102 under the weight of stem 12 hanging freely beneath earlobe 104. Although convertible pipe earring 10 is described and depicted herein as being an earring that is inserted through earlobe 104 of user 100, it is also within the scope of the present invention that convertible pipe earring 10 may be worn in another part of the body, such as in the nose or the lip of user 100, for example.

Hole 102 in earlobe 104 of user 100 may be formed by puncturing or cutting earlobe 104. Over time, user 100 may deliberately and incrementally increase the size of hole 102 by inserting tapers (not shown) of increasing sizes into hole 102, which is known as “stretching.” At any given time, the size of hole 102 corresponds to the outer diameter of the largest piece of jewelry that is able to fill hole 102 in earlobe 104 without stretching or tearing hole 102 in earlobe 104. As discussed above, second end 16 of stem 12 has a known outer diameter D1 selected from Table 1, which represents standard body jewelry sizes. Therefore, user 100 may select convertible pipe earring 10 that corresponds to the size of hole 102 in his or her earlobe 104. In other words, user 100 may select convertible pipe earring 10 that is large enough to fill hole 102 in earlobe 104 without stretching or tearing hole 102 in earlobe 104. For example, if hole 102 in earlobe 104 is 10 mm in diameter, user 100 may select convertible pipe earring 10 having a corresponding outer diameter D1 of 10 mm (00 G).

To arrive at the second configuration of FIG. 10, user 100 removes stem 12 from hole 102 in his or her earlobe 104 by pulling stem 12 in the direction opposite of insertion until first end 14 of stem 12 exits hole 102. Then, user 100 packs bowl 24 of convertible pipe earring 10 (FIG. 4) with a smokeable material (not shown) and ignites the smokeable material. Finally, with mouth 106 of user 100 positioned around first end 14 of stem 12, user 100 inhales to draw smoke from the burning material in bowl 24, through internal passageway 22, and into mouth 106. The heat-resistant material that is used to construct convertible pipe earring 10 should be able to withstand the elevated temperature that is reached when burning the smokeable material in bowl 24.

Before returning convertible pipe earring 10 to his or her earlobe 104 (FIG. 9), user 100 may clean convertible pipe earring 10 to remove any debris that remains in bowl 24 and to sterilize first end 14 of stem 12 that was previously located in mouth 106 of user 100 (FIG. 10).

Convertible pipe earring 10 may be sold to user 100 in a kit that includes instructions for use. For example, the kit may include step-by-step written instructions and/or images for instructing user 100 how to properly convert convertible pipe earring 10 between the first configuration (FIG. 9) and the second configuration (FIG. 10).

Another exemplary convertible pipe earring 10′ of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 11-31. Convertible pipe earring 10′ of FIGS. 11-31 is substantially similar to convertible pipe earring 10 of FIGS. 1-10, with like reference numerals indicating like elements, except as described below.

Convertible pipe earring 10′ includes a generally tubular body or stem 12′ that extends from first end 14′ to second end 16′. Convertible pipe earring 10′ also includes first end cap 34′ that is removably coupled to first end 14′ of stem 12′ and second end cap 36′ that is removably coupled to second end 16′ of stem 12′. With convertible pipe earring 10′ in the first configuration for use as an earring (FIG. 9), first and second end caps 34′, 36′, may be coupled to first and second ends 14′, 16′, of stem 12′, respectively, to conceal internal passageway 22′ and bowl 24′ and to give convertible pipe earring 10′ a clean, finished appearance. With convertible pipe earring 10′ in the second configuration for use as a smoking pipe (FIG. 10), on the other hand, first and second end caps 34′, 36′, may be removed from first and second ends 14′, 16′, of stem 12′, respectively, to expose internal passageway 22′ and bowl 24′.

With reference to FIG. 19, first end cap 34′ includes externally threaded stem 34 a′ that threadably engages internally threaded portion 44′ of first end 14′ of stem 12′. Similarly, second end cap 36′ includes externally threaded stem 36 a′ that threadably engages internally threaded portion 46′ of second end 16′ of stem 12′. Although first and second end caps 34′, 36′, are shown and described as being threadably coupled to first and second ends 14′, 16′, of stem 12′, respectively, first and second end caps 34′, 36′, may be removably coupled to stem 12′ using secondary mechanical fasteners (e.g., retaining rings), a detent mechanism, or another suitable fastening mechanism.

As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, first end cap 34′ includes a pointed, bullet-shaped head 34 b′ to ease insertion of stem 12′ into hole 102 of earlobe 104 when convertible pipe earring 10′ is used as an earring (FIG. 9). However, the shape of head 34 b′ may vary.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, second end cap 36′ also includes head 36 b′. In the illustrated embodiment, head 36 b′ of second end cap 36′ widens outwardly to define rim 20′ of convertible pipe earring 10′ that rests against earlobe 104 when convertible pipe earring 10′ is used as an earring (FIG. 9), although the shape of head 36 b′ may vary.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A dual-use product having a first configuration for use as body jewelry and a second configuration for use as a smoking pipe, a user of the product having a body with a pierced hole of a known hole diameter, the product comprising: a stem having a first end and a second end, the second end of the stem having a known outer diameter, the stem defining an internal passageway that extends from the first end to the second end, the internal passageway widening to define a bowl within the stem; wherein the outer diameter of the second end of the stem corresponds to the hole diameter of the pierced hole in the body of the user such that, with the product in the first configuration, the second end of the stem is receivable in the pierced hole in the body of the user; and wherein the bowl is configured to hold a smokeable material such that, with the product in the second configuration, the user is able to draw smoke from the smokeable material in the bowl through the internal passageway of the stem.
 2. The product of claim 1, further comprising a rim that projects outwardly from the second end of the stem such that, with the product in the first configuration, the rim rests against the body of the user to prevent the stem from falling through the pierced hole in the body of the user.
 3. The product of claim 2, further comprising an end cap removably coupled to the second end of the stem, the end cap defining the rim that projects outwardly from the second end of the stem.
 4. The product of claim 1, further comprising a first end cap removably coupled to the first end of the stem and a second end cap removably coupled to the second end of the stem, the first and second end caps selectively concealing and exposing the internal passageway and the bowl of the stem.
 5. The product of claim 1, wherein the bowl is located within the second end of the stem such that, with the product in the first configuration, the bowl is receivable in the pierced hole in the body of the user.
 6. The product of claim 1, wherein the stem narrows from the second end to the first end, the first end of the stem being smaller than the pierced hole in the body of the user.
 7. The product of claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the second end of the stem is selected from the group consisting of: 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, 19 mm, 22 mm, and 25 mm.
 8. The product of claim 1, wherein the internal passageway of the stem is at least 3 mm in diameter.
 9. The product of claim 1, wherein the stem is constructed of a material that is both biocompatible and heat-resistant.
 10. The product of claim 1, wherein the stem is S-shaped.
 11. A set comprising: a first pipe having a first outer diameter that corresponds to a first body jewelry size, the first pipe defining a first internal passageway and a first bowl in communication with the first internal passageway, the first bowl being configured to hold a smokeable material; and a second pipe having a second outer diameter that corresponds to a second body jewelry size, the second outer diameter of the second pipe differing from the first outer diameter of the first pipe, the second pipe defining a second internal passageway and a second bowl in communication with the second internal passageway, the second bowl being configured to hold a smokeable material.
 12. The set of claim 11, wherein the first outer diameter of the first pipe is selected from the group consisting of: 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.2 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, 19 mm, 22 mm, 25 mm, 26 mm, 29 mm, 32 mm, 35 mm, 38 mm, 41 mm, 44 mm, 47 mm, and 50 mm.
 13. The set of claim 11, wherein the second outer diameter of the second pipe is selected from the group consisting of: 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm, 19 mm, 22 mm, and 25 mm.
 14. The set of claim 11, wherein the first internal passageway of the first pipe and the second internal passageway of the second pipe are both at least 3 mm in diameter.
 15. The set of claim 11, further comprising a first pair of end caps removably coupled to the first pipe to selectively conceal and expose the first internal passageway and the first bowl of the first pipe, and a second pair of end caps removably coupled to the second pipe to selectively conceal and expose the second internal passageway and the second bowl of the second pipe.
 16. The set of claim 11, wherein the first and second pipes are constructed of a material that is both biocompatible and heat-resistant.
 17. A method of providing a product to a user for use as body jewelry and as a smoking pipe, the user having a body with a pierced hole of a known hole diameter, the method comprising the step of: providing a stem to the user, the stem having an outer diameter that corresponds to the hole diameter of the pierced hole in the body of the user, the stem defining an internal passageway and a bowl in communication with the internal passageway, the bowl being configured to hold a smokeable material.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of instructing the user to wear the stem as body jewelry by inserting the stem into the pierced hole in the body of the user.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of instructing the user to pack the bowl with the smokeable material, to ignite the smokeable material, and to draw smoke from the smokeable material in the bowl through the internal passageway of the stem.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of providing a pair of end caps to the user, wherein the end caps are removably coupled to the stem to selectively conceal and expose the internal passageway and the bowl of the stem. 